Rage Against The Machine bassist apologises for influencing Limp Bizkit: ‘We inspired such bullshit’

Tim Commerford is not happy to be linked with Fred Durst's band

Rage Against The Machine bass player Tim Commerford has apologised for the fact that his band inadvertently led to the creation of Limp Bizkit.

Fred Durst of the latter band has spoken in the past about the influence Rage Against The Machine have had on him while Limp Bizkit regularly cover ‘Killing In The Name’ in their live sets. At a 2014 live gig in New York, Durst praised Rage Against the Machine and dedicated a song “to the rap-rock band that started this shit.”

Rolling Stone spoke to Commerford about his band and mentioned Durt’s love for what they did together. However, it soon became clear that the feeling was not mutual. “I do apologise for Limp Bizkit,” Commerford said. “I really do. I feel really bad that we inspired such bullshit.”

NMELaura Palmer/NME
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Appearing to mistakenly think that Limp Bizkit have split up, Commerford continued: “They’re gone, though. That’s the beautiful thing. There’s only one left, and that’s Rage, and as far as I’m concerned, we’re the only one that matters.”

Commerford has made his feelings about Limp Bizkit known in the past, having climbed a lighting rig at the 2000 MTV VMAs after his band were passed over for an award in favour of Fred Durst and his bandmates.

“It’s aged like wine,” Commerford said of the infamous incident for which he was arrested. “What was uncomfortable and a little bit bitter in 2000, now I savour it. I get more people that come up to me now. Back in 2000, it was like, ‘Dude, I saw you do that. What was that all about?’ Now, it’s like, ‘Dude, I saw you do that. That was so fuckin’ awesome! I love that.’ It feels more comfortable now to talk about.”

Asked if he had any regrets over the stunt, Commerford admitted to having just one.

“I wish I would’ve swung on that thing and brought it to the ground and just destroyed it,” he said. “If I could do it all over again, I would’ve ripped that thing to the ground and shredded it.”

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Rage Against The Machine recently announced details of the Live At Finsbury Park concert film on DVD.

The free concert took place in London’s Finsbury Park on June 6, 2010 and was the result of a successful Facebook campaign launched by Jon Morter and his then wife Tracy, which saw fans buy the band’s 1992 track ‘Killing In The Name’, successfully stopping the winner of Simon Cowell’s The X Factor from becoming the UK Christmas Number One.

Previously only available as an extra in the Rage Against The Machine XX 20th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set, the 12-track concert film is accompanied by ‘Behind the scenes at Finsbury Park’ extra footage, plus an interview with campaign starters the Morters.

Rage Against The Machine’s Live At Finsbury Park is released by Eagle Rock Entertainment and will be available from October 16.

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